If youíre thinking about buying your first home, itís good to be close to a city that has all of the amenities and characteristics that you want out of life. However, recent economic growth and an increasing wealth divide has made some cities and their suburbs expensive and overcrowded.

Fortunately, there are several cities and metropolitan areas across the U.S. that are currently experiencing both job growth and a cultural rejuvenation. In this article, weíll cover the top 10 up and coming cities to move to.

1. Colorado Springs, CO

An hour drive from Denver and two hours to the mountains, Colorado Springs is a rising alternative to the Denver Metropolitan area. It is home to several high ranking colleges and the unemployment rate is low. Best of all, Colorado Springs is a highly affordable place to live.

2. Portland, ME

Portland is a small coastal city but is packed with restaurants and the arts. Itís proximity to the ocean and affordability make Portland a great place to move to. Thereís also a thriving do-it-yourself scene, an emphasis on green living and repurposing old infrastructure.

3. Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis combines affordable living with in-demand amenities like shopping, professional sports teams, and highly sought colleges. Itís also home to the biggest sporting event in the country, the Indianapolis 500 auto race.

4. Nashville, TN

Nashville and its surrounding suburbs are experiencing growth and demand for their rich musical culture and history as well as their affordability and short commute times. Residents of Nashville often rank it as being a great place to live, and if you trust anyone it should be the people who are there 365 days a year.

5. Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids has the industry and infrastructure of a large metropolitan area but maintains the affable nature of a small, midwestern town. Grand Rapids is known for its large public waterway on the Grand River as well as its close proximity to Lake Michigan.

6. Houston, TX

Just an hourís drive to great beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, Houston boasts a beautiful skyline and a rich cultural heritage, especially when it comes to food. Houston is also the home to several national companies and homes in the area are relatively affordable since Houston wasnít largely affected by the housing crisis.

7. Raleigh, NC

The Raleigh metropolitan area is home to several competitive research universities and the population is booming with nearly 80 people migrating to Raleigh each day. Affordable housing and a stable but increasing job market make the Raleigh metropolitan area a highly desirable place to live.

8. San Jose, CA

Silicon Valley shows no signs of slowing as major companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook, continue to expand. One problem residents of the area will face is growing real estate prices and a shortage of housing, but living in both a technological and a natural paradise might be worth it for the right people.

9. Sarasota, FL

Beautiful beaches and year-round warm weather attract retirees to Florida each year. But Sarasota also offers a large and growing job market in healthcare, tourism, and hospitality.

10. Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City is within driving distance of several national parks, holds close proximity to mountains, and is nearby Utahís Great Salt Lake, the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere. Salt Lake City has a growing job market, a low unemployment rate (2.8%), and low average commute times.